Belle Plaine Public Works Department
Al Fahey, Public Works Superintendent
952-873-6742
publicworks@ci.belleplaine.mn.us
The Public Works Department employs 7 full time employees and 4 seasonal employees.
Full time staff consists of:
- Al Fahey, Public Works Superintendent
- Mike Herrmann, Assistant Public Works Superintendent
- Jerry Connolly, Waste Water Treatment Facility Manager
- Mark Herd, Public Works Utilities Specialist
- Todd Otto
- Mike Breggemann
- Tim Nytes
Services Provided
Water Meters – Meters should be paid for first at the Government Center located at 218 North Meridian Street. Residential and commercial water meters are available for pick-up at the Public Works Garage. A 24-hour notice is required for all meter sealing. Please follow this same procedure when obtaining a second meter for lawn irrigation systems. You may call Mark Herd at 952-873-4644 to schedule a water meter pick-up.
Street Sweeping – Street sweeping is done every Friday morning in the downtown from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. during spring, summer and fall. No Parking signs are posted in the designated business sections in the downtown area. Other residential districts are swept as needed during normal daytime hours.
Snow Emergency -There is no parking on city streets when 1/2 inch or more snow has accumulated. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
Compost Site - The compost site is located on West State Street and is generally open from 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday during favorable weather. Grass clippings and leaves only, are accepted at no charge.
2010 Water and Sewer Rate and Structure Changes
In 2009 the City of Belle Plaine adopted a conservation rate structure as required by the State of Minnesota, by incorporating a tiered rate structure.  Since then, the DNR has determined that any rate structure which allows usage in the “base” fee will not be considered a conservation rate structure. Currently the City of Belle Plaine charges a “base” fee, which includes 2,000 gallons of usage. In order to comply with the DNR’s requirements the City must discontinue the included usage. The included 2,000 gallons of usage will be phased out over a four year period starting in 2010. This requirement must be addressed, or it will have an impact on the City’s ability to expand and meet the needs of the residents and businesses. The DNR has stated that any permits (i.e. wells, towers, treatment facility expansion) to cities that are not in compliance can, and will be denied.
In order to ensure compliance and review of the fiscal state of the City’s Water and Sewer Funds, the City updated the Utility Rate Study from last year. The update addressed three major issues: (1) the necessary changes to the rate structure to meet the new State of MN requirements as determined by the DNR; (2) reviewing the capital needs and cash flows for each of the funds to ensure adequate balances are maintained for continued operations and future capital needs; and (3) ensure residential and commercial usage to revenue is adequately balanced.
The three major issues studied resulted in the City Council approving the following actions, which took effect on January 1, 2010.
1. Rate changes took effect January 1, 2010.
2. The 2,000 gallon usage previously included in the base rate will be phased out over the next four years.
3. Creating a separate, tiered rate structure for commercial accounts, that also promotes conservation. This was done to address the discrepancy between usage and revenue percentages for commercial accounts.
Customers, who have irrigation meters, please note there was no change to the irrigation rates or structure for 2010. City staff will be happy to answer your questions regarding the new billing rate structure. You may contact the Belle Plaine Government Center at 952-873-5553, the Utility Department at 952-873-4644, or e-mail the Utility Department at bputilities@ci.belleplaine.mn.us.
Please download the example billings which better outlines the rate changes for 2010.
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Public Works Department
420 East Main Street
Belle Plaine, MN 56011
952-873-6742
Weekday Business Hours
Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Weekend & Evening Emergencies
Public Works Employees are on call 24 hours a day
SAVE WATER, SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY
As stated in the "Changes for Water and Sewer Rates and Rate Structure Changes" article on this page rate changes, the 2000 gallon usage and tiered rate structure have changed. The biggest change noticed by those who received recent water and sewer bill was the amount the bill increased compared to previous months. In an effort to help residents reduce usage and the amount charged on that usage, The City of Belle Plaine Utilities Department would like to direct you to a helpful website sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The link is http://www.epa.gov/watersense/ pubs/fixleak.html. The website explains many ways you can conserve water inside and outside of your home, calculate your water savings, water sense for kids, and much more. Did you know common types of leaks found throughout the home include the dripping faucet that keeps you awake at night, leaking valves and toilet flappers? These can be easily fixed and save you ten percent on your water bills.
Hopefully you find this website helpful in your efforts to conserve water, find and stop leaks around your home and save money, too. Any time you have questins or concerns about your water bill or meter please feel free to call the public works utilities department at 952-873-4644.
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